The stunning home of Julie and Dr. David Silvers, which showcases some of her art, was the site for the night when the Greater New Orleans Section of the National Council of Jewish Women partied in honor of their Legacy of Literacy. "Pillars of Support" was the bash's billing.

Notables who relished the pleasant evening (which allowed for supping poolside on Hilton Riverside cuisine), savored the pianism of Armand St. Martin, and turned an ear to guest speaker Sarah Usdin, founder and president of New Schools for New Orleans, were event chairwoman Susan Hess (she and husband Bill had just returned from a meeting with Pope Benedict); NCJW president Ina Davis and Rick, who had the winning auction bid for the signed, first edition of a collection of Alan Ginsburg poetry; and, with Jack, vice president Sue Jernigan, founding board member of Benjamin Mays Prep, a charter school incubated by NSNO.

As for speaker Sarah's talk, it was described as "moving and inspiring about changes afoot in New Orleans public schools." It was fittingly framed during an evening when NCJW members and guests took a historic look back and affirmed continued commitment to improving literacy in the community.

Elsewhere, reunion was the revelry when the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, one of the six schools of the LSU Health Sciences Center, amassed 350 alumni and guests at the Plimsoll Club. Dr. Henry Gremillion, who recently returned to his alma mater to become dean, greeted fellow alums with the assistance of associate dean Dr. Sandra Andrieu, attending with Al. She has been spotlighted nationally thanks to her election to head the American Dental Education Association.

The Loyola School of Dentistry, predecessor to the LSU School of Dentistry, was honored by reunions of the 1964 and '69 classes. Dr. Tony Celino organized the '64 gathering, while sharing with his classmates the accomplishments of son Jon, a '92 graduate of the LSU School of Dentistry.